Hand-Held Ballistic Resistant Personal Protection Device

ABSTRACT

A personal protection device comprising a shield having two planar sides, oppositely disposed to one another, wherein the shield is fabricated of a ballistic resistant material, a window interconnected in the shield, an access port disposed on the shield, two handles, each disposed on a planar side, wherein the two handles allow a user to hold the shield in either the right or left hand without extension across the user&#39;s body while maintaining the position of the shield in front of the user&#39;s body.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/916,067 filed May 4, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to personal protection devices, and, more particularly, to such personal protection devices with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held in order to provide ballistic resistant protection to an individual behind the device.

2. Description of Prior Art

There are many locations and situations where law enforcement, security personnel, or others, such as workers in financial institutions and the like, may be placed in harm's way. If these individuals are located in the same station or location everyday, that location may be equipped with ballistic resistant capabilities to protect the individual, which should be appreciated by those skilled in the art and need not be repeated herein.

In situations where these locations may not be permanent or a threat may develop suddenly, however, it would be useful and desirable to have a ballistic resistant device that could be utilized quickly. In addition, it would be useful and desirable for such a device to be implemented quickly and to provide ballistic resistant coverage to an individual user's center of mass while at the same time allowing observation and the ability to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the individual user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,101 discloses a ballistic protection apparatus capable of stopping a bullet. The apparatus includes a shield onto which a long gun can be mounted, wherein the gun is positioned at the top of the shield. U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,524 is directed to a guardsman shield for opposably parrying a hostile assailant. The shield contains two handles or grasps on the same side of the shield.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a portable protective device that may be used to protect a person's center of mass. It is a another object of the invention to provide a versatile protective device that may be used to protect a person's face and head, while providing a view of an assailant. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a versatile protective device that may be used by a right-handed or left-handed person equally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects and advantages are accomplished by personal protection devices having ballistic resistant properties. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device, and, more a particularly, personal protection device with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held in order to provide ballistic resistant protection to an individual behind the device, is provided.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held, such as a hand-held ballistic resistant shield, is provided.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a ballistic resistant personal protection device is provided that is able to be implemented quickly, e.g., in dangerous situations.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, a ballistic resistant personal protection device is provided that affords ballistic resistant protection to the center of mass of the individual user (or other part of an individual's body).

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a ballistic resistant personal protection device is provided that can be wielded by either the left or right hand of the user, while simultaneously supporting a defensive device (or weapon) in the same hand.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention, a ballistic resistant personal protection device is provided that can be broken down for ease of transport and maintenance.

In accordance with still a further embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device comprising a base unit composed of a ballistic resistant material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic or a composite material, and a window interconnected to the base unit composed of a ballistic resistant transparent armor, such as a bullet resistant plastic and/or glass, which provides protective observation, is provided. The base unit comprises an access port through which a defensive device or weapon (e.g., a pistol or stun gun) can be utilized. Use of this port provides additional protection to the user, and allows the user to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the base unit further comprises a support handle on both sides of the base unit to allow the user to wield the personal protection device with either hand.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the proximity of the handles to the access port allows the same hand of the user to support the personal protection device and engage the threat using the defensive device or weapon. This allows the user's other hand to be free to perform other tasks.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the handles of the personal protection device are hinged or flexible in order to allow them to collapse for storage. The handles also conform to the grip of the defensive device or weapon being held.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the base unit further comprises a support strap handle on both sides of the base unit to allow the user to wield the personal protection device with the opposite hand (opposite the hand holding the support handle and/or defensive device or weapon).

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, an individual may protect herself from ballistics by holding the personal protection device between the individual's center of mass (or other part of the individual's body) and the oncoming ballistic. The individual user may provide herself with additional protection (or with the ability to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user), by use of a defensive device or weapon through the access port of the personal protection device.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device is provided comprising a shield having two planar sides, oppositely disposed to one another, with a thin peripheral edge extending between the two planar sides, wherein the shield is fabricated of a ballistic resistant material, a window interconnected in the shield, an access port disposed on the shield, two handles, each disposed on a planar side, wherein the two handles allow a user to hold the shield in either the right or left hand without extension of an arm across the user's body while maintaining the position of the shield in front of the user's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates a personal protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view that illustrates a personal protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view that illustrates a personal protection device in use by an individual user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated, a versatile personal protection device is provided. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device, more particularly, personal protection devices with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held in order to provide ballistic resistant protection to an individual behind the device, are provided. A personal protection device of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a personal protection device with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held, such as a hand-held ballistic resistant shield.

A personal protection device of an embodiment of the present invention affords ballistic resistant protection to the center of mass of the user (or other part of an individual's body), can be implemented quickly (e.g., in dangerous situations), can be wielded by either the left or right hand of the user while simultaneously supporting a defensive device (or weapon) in the same hand, and can be broken down for ease of transport and maintenance.

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a personal protection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows a personal protection device 10 comprising a base unit 11 composed of a ballistic resistant material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic or a composite material, and a window 12 interconnected to the base unit 11 composed of a ballistic resistant transparent armor, such as a bullet resistant plastic and/or glass (which provides protective observation). Examples of ballistic resistant materials include, but are not limited to, Spectra Shield™ composite, Spectra™ fiber, Kevlar® material, and Dyneema® material. The thickness of the shield may range from about 0.1 inch to about 1 inch and preferably from about 0.25 inch to about 0.375 inch. Base unit 11 is shown in the form of a rectangular shape, although any shape may be used as desired. Examples of other shapes include, but are not limited to, a polygonal, circular and oval shapes. Examples of polygonal shapes include, but are not limited to, a rectangular, square, hexagonal or octagonal.

The addition of window 12 provides versatility for the user, allowing the user to shield not only the center of mass of the user, but also the user's face and head, while still allowing the user a view of his assailant or attacker. Although window 12 may be located in any section of base unit 11, it is preferable that window 12 is positioned proximate the top edge of base unit 11 or flush with the edge of base unit 11 to provide a clear view should the user shield his face with personal protection device 10.

The base unit 11 comprises an access port 13 through which a defensive device or weapon (e.g., a pistol or stun gun, not shown) can be utilized. Use of this port 13 provides additional protection to the user, and allows the user to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user. The base unit 11 further comprises a support handle 14 on both sides of the base unit 11 (only one side shown) to allow the user to wield the personal protection device 10 with either hand.

Turning to FIG. 3, the personal protection device 10 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2) is shown in use by an individual user 16 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a personal protection device 10 comprising a base unit 11 composed of a ballistic resistant material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic or a composite material, and a window 12 interconnected to the base unit 11 composed of a ballistic resistant transparent armor, such as a bullet resistant plastic and/or glass (which provides protective observation). The base unit 11 comprises an access port 13 through which a defensive device or weapon 15 (e.g., a pistol or stun gun) can be utilized. Use of this port 13 provides additional protection to the user 16, and allows the user 16 to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user 16. The base unit 11 further comprises a support handle 14 on both sides of the base unit 11 (only one side shown) to allow the user 16 to wield the personal protection device 10 with either hand. The handle 14 conforms to the grip of the defensive device or weapon 15 being held. Also, the handles 14 of the personal protection device 10 are hinged or flexible in order to allow them to collapse for storage.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the location of the handles 14 (only one handle shown) be proximate to the access port 13 to allow the same hand of the user to support the personal protection device 10 and engage the threat using a defensive device or weapon 15. It is preferable that handles 14 are located below access port 13 to allow easy access to a weapon while holding onto a handle 14. This allows the user's other hand 17 to be free to perform other tasks.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the base unit 11 further comprises a support strap handle 18 (see also FIGS. 1-2) on both sides of the base unit 11 to allow the user 16 to wield the personal protection device 10 with the opposite hand 17 (opposite the hand holding the support handle 14 and/or defensive device or weapon 15). Strap handle 18 may also be used to fit around the user's arm or leg, allowing freedom of the user's hand.

An individual 16 may protect herself from ballistics by holding the personal protection device 10 between the individual's 16 center of mass (or other part of the individual's body) and an oncoming ballistic. As noted supra, the individual user 16 may provide herself with additional protection (or with the ability to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user 16), by use of a defensive device or weapon 15 through the access port 13 of the personal protection device 10.

While various descriptions of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that the various features can be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the specifically preferred embodiments depicted herein.

Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A personal protection device comprising: a shield having a first planar side and a second planar side; wherein the shield is fabricated of a ballistic resistant material; a window interconnected in the shield; an access port disposed on the shield; a first handle disposed on the first planar side; and a second handle disposed on the second planar side, wherein the first handle and second handle allow a user to hold the shield in either the right or left hand without extension of the user's arm across the user's body while maintaining the position of the shield in front of the user's body.
 2. The personal protection device of claim 1 wherein the shield is in the shape of a polygon, circle or oval.
 3. The personal protection device of claim 2 wherein the polygon is a rectangle, square, hexagon or octagon.
 4. The personal protection device of claim 1 wherein the shield further comprises a strap disposed on the first, second or both planar sides.
 5. The personal protection device of claim 4 wherein the strap is disposed on a lower corner of the shield for easy application to a user's leg, arm or hand.
 6. The personal protection device of claim 1 wherein the top edge of the window is located flush with the top edge of the shield.
 7. The personal protection device of claim 1 wherein the first handle and second handle are located proximate the access port.
 8. The personal protection device of claim 7 wherein the first and second handles are located below the access port.
 9. The personal protection device of claim 1 wherein the shield is configured to provide frontal ballistic resistance to a user's center of mass when the shield is located in front of the user.
 10. The personal protection device of claim 7 wherein the first and second handles are located on the shield to enable a user to simultaneously hold a gun and the first or second handle in one hand.
 11. The personal protection device of claim 1 wherein the window is fabricated of a bullet resistant material.
 12. The personal protection device of claim 11 wherein the bullet resistant material comprises glass or plastic.
 13. The personal protection device of claim 1 wherein the ballistic resistant material comprises glass, plastic, metal, ceramic or composite.
 14. The personal protection device of claim 1 wherein the first and second handles are collapsible.
 15. The personal protection device of claim 14 wherein the collapsible handles are hinged or flexible. 